Preds add two more veterans

The Predators continued their Monday signing flurry by agreeing to terms on two-year contracts with both free-agent forward Radek Bonk and free-agent defenseman Greg de Vries.

“We are very excited to add these two veteran players to the Nashville lineup,” said Predators Executive Vice President/General Manager David Poile. “Bonk is a big, experienced center that can play the shut-down defensive role and also fill in in more offensive situations. Greg de Vries has Stanley Cup experience as well as size and skill and he will be a mentor to our defense corps.”

Bonk, 31, appeared in 74 games with Montreal this past season, registering 13 goals and 10 assists. The 6-3, 213-pound center has posted 171 goals and 272 assists in 824 games played over 12 NHL seasons with Ottawa and Montreal.

Bonk was originally Ottawa’s first choice (third overall) in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft. His contract will pay him $1.35 million in 2007-08 and $1.6 million in 2008-09.

de Vries, 34, appeared in all 82 games for the Atlanta Thrashers this past year for the second consecutive season and averaged 22:14 of ice time per game, third-most on the club. The 6-2, 220-pound backliner also registered 24 points and ranked 11th in the NHL with 179 blocked shots.